Thursday, February 13, 2014

Virgin Snow Covered White Rose

Winter surprised one November morning up on the Roszadomb in Budapest.


Descending into freshly fallen snow – earlier than expected
I rush past a rose bush layered lush, a brighter white

Flakes falling damp like dew, grasping
holly leaves hanging heavy off amber stems

Flakes so delicate and wanting no rejection
piling on petals resilient and full of might

Virgin snow covered white rose.

A shutter snaps capturing this white rose wanting
life beyond lapels, vases and fragrant gardens

Long a symbol of innocence and an untarnished world
taking on new life during revolt

Hoping for intervention, nothing divine transpires beyond
unfulfilled promises of support­ that doom defiance

Virgin snow covered white rose.

Bare hands assembled so many barricades erected
holding out gallantly only to be

Crushed bloody red by rolling tanks while sewing seeds
of future revolts behind a rusting iron curtain

Twelve years later in a Prague Spring
twelve years from a shipyard  in Gdansk

Virgin snow covered white rose.

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